The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the successful evacuation of 42 Ugandan students and two diplomatic staff from Iran, following the outbreak of armed conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel on June 13, 2025.
The evacuation, which was coordinated by the Uganda Embassy in Tehran in collaboration with the Embassy in Ankara, was routed through neighbouring Turkey, where an Emergency Evacuation Coordination Centre was established to manage the crisis.
“The Embassy successfully coordinated the evacuation of two Diplomatic Staff who had remained in Tehran, and 42 Ugandan students to Turkiye,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement.
Under the leadership of Ambassador Twaha Matata, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. in Tehran, and assisted by Mr. Oscar J. Edule (Minister Counsellor) and Mr. Agaba Mark (Financial Attaché), the coordination centre facilitated safe passage and temporary relocation for the affected Ugandans.
The Ministry confirmed that Ugandan nationals were registered for evacuation, and land transport was arranged. The Republic of Turkey responded positively to Uganda’s request, agreeing to issue emergency visas on arrival to facilitate the evacuation.
The evacuated individuals were received at the Bargarzan border by Mr. Julius Malinga (Second Secretary), Ms. Zainah Nabirye from the Uganda Embassy in Tehran, and Mr. Mubarak Daka from the Uganda Embassy in Ankara on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
They have since been transferred to Istanbul, from where they are expected to return to Uganda aboard a commercial chartered aircraft.
The Ministry emphasized that the Emergency Evacuation Coordination Centre will continue to operate until all Ugandans are safely repatriated from Iran.
“Registration and coordination efforts continue to be undertaken for other Ugandan nationals still inside Iran, with the aim of safely guiding, supporting, and ensuring their safe exit and return to Uganda,” the statement added.
The Ministry has appealed to relatives and members of the public who may have information about any Ugandans still stranded in Iran to reach out to the evacuation team through the following contacts: Amb. Twaha Matata, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. – +256 772 594096, Mr. Oscar J. Edule, Minister Counsellor – +256 702 02027, Mr. Julius Malinga, Second Secretary – +256 782 572879 and on Email: tehran@mofa.go.ug
